DM Rights - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

DM Rights

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Matt_James
May 24, 2009 8:48:19 Can a DM refuse to allow a player to sit at their table? This question is coming up and if I could get an official citing or staff-member to respond, that would be great. This specific issue is relating to young players (age 9-11) who are attending without parental supervision. While not trying to supress young players from experiencing D&D, shouldn't the DM preserve the rights of the other players to have an enjoyable experience as well?

My thanks in advance for any helpful responses and thoughts.
#2
Kensan_Oni
May 24, 2009 9:37:24 Talk to your organizer. While the rule generally is "Whoever shows up gets to play", you should at least arrange for a GM for younger groups that can handle the issue maturely. Make it clear to your Organizer you feel uncomfortable having young players at your table, and see what you can do.
#3
Keith53
May 24, 2009 10:36:12 Frankly, that is between the Event Organizer (aka Senior GM) and the venue host, which may or may not be the same person. If a particular DM is not comfortable DMing a table with younger gamers, etc., then he should share that with the Senior GM when he volunteers (or is recruited) and ask if that can be accommodated. I think either Senior GM or venue host can set ground rules about players below a certain age need to have an adult supervisor along, or such. Obviously you may have a legal problem asking an underage player to leave the premises for being disruptive of game play, but then a parent expecting the game organizers to serve as child guardian (or baby sitter) is a bit unreasonable as well. It is best to have this thought through in advance and include any restriction on advertisments. Usually I see children that age accompanied by parents or older siblings.

Keith
#4
KarmaInferno
May 24, 2009 11:08:31 The convention itself really shouldn't be allowing kids under 12 to attend events without a parent or guardian.

Aside from disruptive potential, if there's an accident or something the legal ramifications to the convention could be huge. Especially since the con likely isn't registered as a child care provider, and probably does not have insurance for this kinda thing.

This kind of thing pisses me off. I used to work at an electronics store in the mall, and folks would routinely drop off young kids like we were a daycare center so they could go shopping. Then the kids would proceed to wreck stuff. This is NOT responsible parenting.

-np
#5
bgibbons
May 24, 2009 11:52:13
Can a DM refuse to allow a player to sit at their table? This question is coming up and if I could get an official citing or staff-member to respond, that would be great. This specific issue is relating to young players (age 9-11) who are attending without parental supervision.

This has nothing to do with the RPGA; it's completely up to the organizer of the event to decide who has the right to play.

If you're not the organizer of the event, the answer is that you're free to put any restrictions you'd like on who you're willing to DM for, but how to deal with that (and whether you're ever asked to judge again) is between you and the organizer.

My personal opinion is that I'd prefer not to play with or judge for kids under a certain age (say, 12 or 13). However, if this is an announced event (e.g., a gameday or convention), that's the sort of thing that should be clearly listed ahead of time to give people fair warning.
#6
akodoreign
May 24, 2009 15:50:44
This has nothing to do with the RPGA; it's completely up to the organizer of the event to decide who has the right to play.

If you're not the organizer of the event, the answer is that you're free to put any restrictions you'd like on who you're willing to DM for, but how to deal with that (and whether you're ever asked to judge again) is between you and the organizer.

My personal opinion is that I'd prefer not to play with or judge for kids under a certain age (say, 12 or 13). However, if this is an announced event (e.g., a gameday or convention), that's the sort of thing that should be clearly listed ahead of time to give people fair warning.

I had a 40 year old show up, said he was the son of satan, had eyliner and black sharp finger nails.

I sat him, but man I wish I didn't made people uncomfortable
#7
gc1ceo
May 24, 2009 17:05:23 I'll sit anybody for the most part, although I'm just more inclined to inform some people of future games then others. But yea its not an RPGA thing, its an event thing (convention, store policy, etc).
#8
Alphastream
May 25, 2009 13:01:05 In the areas I've gamed in (Philly, DC, Portland OR) I've always met several gamers that really enjoy DMing for younger players. Generally it takes more patience, willingness to simplify the game a bit, and willingness to provide a little more freedom and hand over a bit of direction to the younger players. This can irritate other players who want a more 'typical' result.

I suspect that if you ask around you could find someone that would enjoy DMing a table specifically for younger players. Cons can often put this together by having an intro track. This intro track can be specifically towards new and/or young players, and have one of the more patient/willing DMs. If the table doesn't fill, the DM becomes your swing judge who can fill in where needed.

But, as others said, choosing who can or can't play should be done at the level of the event/venue. If the con allows young players, then DMs should be expected to do their job and provide a great time to the table. If there is a difference between what younger and older players want, then it can be resolved by the DM (hopefully in a patient non-aggravating way) and with the help of the Senior DM if needed.

There may be no recourse if you suddenly find you have to DM for players you would rather not DM for. In this case, do your best and talk to the organizers afterward to let them know a policy is needed for the next event.
#9
koldoon
Jun 23, 2009 14:18:11 We should all be delighted when a younger kid sits down at our tables. The health of our hobby depends on those younger players meeting DMs and players who are not only willing but anxious to help them get into the game.

I played an event just this past Sunday with a younger player. His dad stayed until the kid was settled and the game was underway, and then left and did his thing around town. His play might have been a little simplistic - he tended to stick to at-will powers he was comfortable with rather than switching powers - but within that constraint he played well... far from disruptive, at least once he saved the whole party.

At the end of the night his dad arrived quietly and waited some two hours, quietly reading in a corner, for the game to conclude (we were running over - we were facing a swarm with no controller). I'm delighted his dad lets the kid foster the interest in the game and I'd happily play at the same table with the kid again.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Matt_James May 24, 2009 8:48:19	Can a DM refuse to allow a player to sit at their table? This question is coming up and if I could get an official citing or staff-member to respond, that would be great. This specific issue is relating to young players (age 9-11) who are attending without parental supervision. While not trying to supress young players from experiencing D&D, shouldn't the DM preserve the rights of the other players to have an enjoyable experience as well? My thanks in advance for any helpful responses and thoughts.
#2 Kensan_Oni May 24, 2009 9:37:24	Talk to your organizer. While the rule generally is "Whoever shows up gets to play", you should at least arrange for a GM for younger groups that can handle the issue maturely. Make it clear to your Organizer you feel uncomfortable having young players at your table, and see what you can do.
#3 Keith53 May 24, 2009 10:36:12	Frankly, that is between the Event Organizer (aka Senior GM) and the venue host, which may or may not be the same person. If a particular DM is not comfortable DMing a table with younger gamers, etc., then he should share that with the Senior GM when he volunteers (or is recruited) and ask if that can be accommodated. I think either Senior GM or venue host can set ground rules about players below a certain age need to have an adult supervisor along, or such. Obviously you may have a legal problem asking an underage player to leave the premises for being disruptive of game play, but then a parent expecting the game organizers to serve as child guardian (or baby sitter) is a bit unreasonable as well. It is best to have this thought through in advance and include any restriction on advertisments. Usually I see children that age accompanied by parents or older siblings. Keith
#4 KarmaInferno May 24, 2009 11:08:31	The convention itself really shouldn't be allowing kids under 12 to attend events without a parent or guardian. Aside from disruptive potential, if there's an accident or something the legal ramifications to the convention could be huge. Especially since the con likely isn't registered as a child care provider, and probably does not have insurance for this kinda thing. This kind of thing pisses me off. I used to work at an electronics store in the mall, and folks would routinely drop off young kids like we were a daycare center so they could go shopping. Then the kids would proceed to wreck stuff. This is NOT responsible parenting. -np
#5 bgibbons May 24, 2009 11:52:13	Can a DM refuse to allow a player to sit at their table? This question is coming up and if I could get an official citing or staff-member to respond, that would be great. This specific issue is relating to young players (age 9-11) who are attending without parental supervision. This has nothing to do with the RPGA; it's completely up to the organizer of the event to decide who has the right to play. If you're not the organizer of the event, the answer is that you're free to put any restrictions you'd like on who you're willing to DM for, but how to deal with that (and whether you're ever asked to judge again) is between you and the organizer. My personal opinion is that I'd prefer not to play with or judge for kids under a certain age (say, 12 or 13). However, if this is an announced event (e.g., a gameday or convention), that's the sort of thing that should be clearly listed ahead of time to give people fair warning.
#6 akodoreign May 24, 2009 15:50:44	This has nothing to do with the RPGA; it's completely up to the organizer of the event to decide who has the right to play. If you're not the organizer of the event, the answer is that you're free to put any restrictions you'd like on who you're willing to DM for, but how to deal with that (and whether you're ever asked to judge again) is between you and the organizer. My personal opinion is that I'd prefer not to play with or judge for kids under a certain age (say, 12 or 13). However, if this is an announced event (e.g., a gameday or convention), that's the sort of thing that should be clearly listed ahead of time to give people fair warning. I had a 40 year old show up, said he was the son of satan, had eyliner and black sharp finger nails. I sat him, but man I wish I didn't made people uncomfortable
#7 gc1ceo May 24, 2009 17:05:23	I'll sit anybody for the most part, although I'm just more inclined to inform some people of future games then others. But yea its not an RPGA thing, its an event thing (convention, store policy, etc).
#8 Alphastream May 25, 2009 13:01:05	In the areas I've gamed in (Philly, DC, Portland OR) I've always met several gamers that really enjoy DMing for younger players. Generally it takes more patience, willingness to simplify the game a bit, and willingness to provide a little more freedom and hand over a bit of direction to the younger players. This can irritate other players who want a more 'typical' result. I suspect that if you ask around you could find someone that would enjoy DMing a table specifically for younger players. Cons can often put this together by having an intro track. This intro track can be specifically towards new and/or young players, and have one of the more patient/willing DMs. If the table doesn't fill, the DM becomes your swing judge who can fill in where needed. But, as others said, choosing who can or can't play should be done at the level of the event/venue. If the con allows young players, then DMs should be expected to do their job and provide a great time to the table. If there is a difference between what younger and older players want, then it can be resolved by the DM (hopefully in a patient non-aggravating way) and with the help of the Senior DM if needed. There may be no recourse if you suddenly find you have to DM for players you would rather not DM for. In this case, do your best and talk to the organizers afterward to let them know a policy is needed for the next event.
#9 koldoon Jun 23, 2009 14:18:11	We should all be delighted when a younger kid sits down at our tables. The health of our hobby depends on those younger players meeting DMs and players who are not only willing but anxious to help them get into the game. I played an event just this past Sunday with a younger player. His dad stayed until the kid was settled and the game was underway, and then left and did his thing around town. His play might have been a little simplistic - he tended to stick to at-will powers he was comfortable with rather than switching powers - but within that constraint he played well... far from disruptive, at least once he saved the whole party. At the end of the night his dad arrived quietly and waited some two hours, quietly reading in a corner, for the game to conclude (we were running over - we were facing a swarm with no controller). I'm delighted his dad lets the kid foster the interest in the game and I'd happily play at the same table with the kid again.